Tax Credit For Kids Program Still Available

PINE-STRAWBERRY

During this interim week of rest before the New Year rings in, I'd like to remind you of one more chance to give and make the holidays meaningful.

The Tax Credit For Kids is still available to anyone who pays Arizona income tax. You can direct as much as $200 to the Arizona public school of your choice, providing a direct source of money to many extra curricular activities.

For those who attended any one of the many holiday performances at Pine-Strawberry Elementary, you saw first hand just how beneficial these tax donations have been. We have risers, instruments, a stage - all funded by taxpayers like you! Our athletics department has new uniforms and equipment, there is a science club and computer group and of course the Hands Across the Border Program - each of which has benefited immensely from the direct donations of tax credit money.

Tax credit money can be directed to a specific program, or divided among programs of your choice. If a donation is not aimed at a specific program, it goes into a general fund.

If you have questions, contact your tax accountant otherwise send your check, before Jan. 1, to Pine-Strawberry Elementary, P.O. Box 1150, Pine, AZ 85544. You can contact the school at 476-3283.

Happy New Year

Wasn't the White Christmas just what Santa ordered?

Pine-Strawberry are postcard perfect under a blanket of white.

I don't know about you but we are ready to open our 2002 New Year's envelopes and review our progress. We set goals, and work on faith.

Again this week, the girls and I will labor with pen and paper, aspiring to reach new heights with the promise of a New Year.

We will seal up our goals for 2003 -- and keeping a copy with the calendar for inspiration.

Organization, community service and spending time with family and friends top our lists, how about yours?

Our goals hold hopes for the community as well, more members for the Historical Society and the Kiwanis, great food at the Senior Dining Hall and the School Cafeteria, more community fun at the Cultural Hall, lots of shoppers for all the retail outlets and reliable workers for our community businesses.

Along with much more snow, rain and precipitation I have some New Year's wishes for all of you.

I wish for you, comfort on difficult days, smiles when sadness intrudes, rainbows to follow the clouds, laughter to kiss your lips, sunsets to warm your heart gentle hugs when spirits sag, friendships to brighten your being, beauty for your eyes to see, confidence for when you doubt, faith so that you can believe, courage to know yourself, patience to accept the truth, and love to complete your life. Thank you as a community for giving these and more to us.